Mr Lim, who took over as A*Star chairman a year ago, has also been visiting countries strong in science and engineering such as Turkey, Russia and Hungary, to persuade young researchers that a career in Singapore could be an alternative to the West. -- PHOTO: ZABAO

A contingent headed by Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*Star) chairman Lim Chuan Poh will be at the annual meetings of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and the Fulbright Academy of Science and Technology which starts in Boston on Feb 14 and ends on Feb 18.

With more than 150 symposia, the five-day meeting will bring together some 8,000 delegates and researchers from across a host of scientific fields.

To make its presence felt, Singapore's scientific and educational intiatives under A*Star will be showcased at the meeting through an exhibition.

It will highlight the international scientific talent at Biopolis and the soon-to-be-opened Fusionopolis, as well as the multi-disciplinary research and integration of capabilities among scientists from diverse fields.

During the meeting, A*Star will also announce its third call for the agency's Investigatorship programme which offers promising young postdocs from around the world to do independent research here, as well as its new visiting 'science writer-in-residence' programme that will bring experienced science journalists to Singapore.

A*Star chairman Lim Chuan Poh said: 'By participating in the AAAS and the Fulbright Academy annual meetings, we want to create greater awareness of Singapore science across a wider spectrum of scientific talent, and strengthen our networks with the international research community to bring about breakthroughs to benefit society.'

'At the same time, this is an excellent opportunity for Singapore to share our experiences in pioneering new directions in scientific education and R&D.'

Added Neal Copeland, Executive Director, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology: 'Singapore's foray into R&D is well-known among scientific leaders. For a vibrant research environment, there must be also be a critical mass of postdocs and graduate students at our research institutes and AAAS is a good platform for A*STAR to reach out to the younger scientific audience.'

The Singapore delegation includes Dr Ed Liu, Executive Director, Genome Institute of Singapore and Dr Nancy Jenkins, Deputy Director of Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, who together with Dr John Wong, Dean of NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, will speak at a symposium on Singapore's efforts in cancer reserach.

Their 90-minute presentation will take place at a prime slot on Feb 15 morning, and this was chosen by a panel which included AAAS president and nobel laureate David Baltimore.

At a parallel conference - the Fulbright Academy of Science and Technology meeting from Feb 14 to 17, which will be attended by Fulbright scholars from all over the world, Mr Lim will speak on the science and mathematics education here - an area in which Singapore has excelled.

He will review the educational system that has resulted in Singapore fourth and eighth grade students' ranking No. 1 in science and math.

He will also touch on the A*STAR scholarship programmes that support the Ph.D. degree educations of over 700 young Singaporeans.

Mr Lim, who took over as A*Star chairman a year ago, has also been visiting countries strong in science and engineering such as Turkey, Russia and Hungary, to persuade young researchers that a career in Singapore could be an alternative to the West.

All this is part of efforts to put tiny Singapore on the radar screens of talented young researchers who may not be aware of the scientific efforts being done here.

While in Boston, A*STAR will also meet up with Singaporeans in the Boston area through Contact Singapore.

By staying in touch with fellow Singaporeans and sharing with them Singapore's evolving R&D landscape, we hope to maintain links and enthuse some to return to Singapore to be part of the exciting journey in transforming Singapore's economy and society.

Stressing the need for talent, Mr Lim said: 'We can have the best physical infrastructure, we can invest the most resources, but most importantly, we need talented scientists who are passionate about good science and impactful research.'

'And we need to continually refresh our talent pool; from world class scientific leaders to young aspiring postdocs who share this passion and commitment,' he said.